Nomination petitions must contain the signatures of at least 125 qualified voters in the legislative district. Major party candidates are required to submit a primary filing fee equal to 2% of the annual salary for the office sought in effect in the year in which the candidate files. In 2013, the primary filing fee was $352.80.<ref name=reqs/>

Nomination petitions must contain the signatures of at least 125 qualified voters in the legislative district. Major party candidates are required to submit a primary filing fee equal to 2% of the annual salary for the office sought in effect in the year in which the candidate files. In 2013, the primary filing fee was $352.80.<ref name=reqs/>

+

+

Republicans expanded their majority in the [[Virginia House of Delegates|State House]] while Democrats managed to pick up one additional seat. Two seats were vacant and retiring incumbent [[Lacey Putney]], an independent, allowed for both parties to make gains in the chamber. Putney was the longest-serving state legislator in the country, serving since 1962. A total of four seats flipped partisan control in 2013. Those districts were:

* [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2013#District 4|District 4]]: Democratic incumbent [[Joe Johnson]] did not seek re-election in 2013. Democrats conceded the district without presenting a Democratic candidate. The district went to the unchallenged Republican candidate [[A. Benton Chafin]].

+

* [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2013#District 19|District 19]]: Independent [[Lacey Putney]]'s open district was won by Republican challenger [[Terry Austin]].

:: ''See also: [[2013 Elections Preview: Some seats may switch parties in the Virginia House of Delegates]]''

:: ''See also: [[2013 Elections Preview: Some seats may switch parties in the Virginia House of Delegates]]''

−

Heading into the November 5 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Virginia House of Delegates:

+

Heading into the November 5 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. The party gained two seats and remained the majority party after the 2013 election:

{{vahousepartisan13}}

{{vahousepartisan13}}

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Skelley also noted that state Democrats have effectively yielded a seat to the Republican caucus already, as District 4 Delegate [[Joe Johnson]] ([[Democratic|D]]) is retiring from a district that has trended very [[Republican]] since he first took office in 1990, and only [[A. Benton Chafin]] ([[Republican|R]]) is running to replace him. This projected defeat for Democrats suggests that they would need to have a net gain of 20 seats to take over the chamber, and Skelley says that they may win five or six seats from Republicans.<ref name=Skelley/>

Skelley also noted that state Democrats have effectively yielded a seat to the Republican caucus already, as District 4 Delegate [[Joe Johnson]] ([[Democratic|D]]) is retiring from a district that has trended very [[Republican]] since he first took office in 1990, and only [[A. Benton Chafin]] ([[Republican|R]]) is running to replace him. This projected defeat for Democrats suggests that they would need to have a net gain of 20 seats to take over the chamber, and Skelley says that they may win five or six seats from Republicans.<ref name=Skelley/>

−

''Ballotpedia'''s own [[A "Competitiveness Index" for capturing competitiveness in state legislative elections|Competitiveness Index]] suggests that the 2013 [[Virginia House of Delegates]] races may be somewhat more competitive than the last cycle, with more delegates challenged overall and more balance between [[Republican]] and [[Democratic]] incumbents going unchallenged than in the [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011|2011 House of Delegates elections]].

+

''Ballotpedia'''s own [[A "Competitiveness Index" for capturing competitiveness in state legislative elections|Competitiveness Index]] suggested that the 2013 [[Virginia House of Delegates]] races may be somewhat more competitive than the last cycle, with more delegates challenged overall and more balance between [[Republican]] and [[Democratic]] incumbents going unchallenged than in the [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011|2011 House of Delegates elections]].

Skelley suggested that the level of success [[Democratic]] candidates for the House of Delegates have depends substantially on the electoral performance of [[Democratic]] [[Virginia gubernatorial election, 2013|gubernatorial]] candidate [[Terry McAuliffe]]. A close [[Virginia gubernatorial election, 2013|gubernatorial]] race, according to Skelley, will likely keep the number of seats that switch control between parties relatively small.<ref name=Skelley/>

Skelley suggested that the level of success [[Democratic]] candidates for the House of Delegates have depends substantially on the electoral performance of [[Democratic]] [[Virginia gubernatorial election, 2013|gubernatorial]] candidate [[Terry McAuliffe]]. A close [[Virginia gubernatorial election, 2013|gubernatorial]] race, according to Skelley, will likely keep the number of seats that switch control between parties relatively small.<ref name=Skelley/>

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{{CA2013toc}}

{{CA2013toc}}

−

Fifty-six candidates (56%) faced no competition in the November 8 general election and were thus, barring unforeseen circumstances, guaranteed re-election in November.

+

Fifty-six candidates (56%) faced no competition in the November 5 general election and were thus, barring unforeseen circumstances, guaranteed re-election in November.

*22 Democratic candidates faced no November challenger.

*22 Democratic candidates faced no November challenger.

*34 Republican candidates faced no November challenger

*34 Republican candidates faced no November challenger

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* District 84: [[Salvatore Iaquinto]] (R)

* District 84: [[Salvatore Iaquinto]] (R)

* District 85: [[Bob Tata]] (R)

* District 85: [[Bob Tata]] (R)

+

'''''Note:''' [[John Cosgrove]] won a special election to a [[Virginia State Senate]] seat and withdrew from the race for House District 78. His departure triggered a new filing period for candidates and allowed [[Jay Leftwich|Leftwich]] to enter the race.<ref>[http://vapolitics.us/2013/06/race-to-replace-cosgrove-in-the-78th-house-of-delegates-district-takes-shape/ ''Virginia Politics'', "Race to Replace Cosgrove in the 78th House of Delegates District takes shape," June 23, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/Files/BecomingACandidate/2013Nov_WD_HOD78.pdf ''Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Elections'', "November 5, 2013 Election, Candidacy Requirements For House of Delegates 78th District," accessed September 9, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/Files/Cast%20Your%20Ballot/Candidate%20List/Official%20List%20of%2011_5_13%20House%20of%20Delegates%20Candidates%20by%20District.pdf ''Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Elections'', "Official List of Candidates, Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election, Virginia House of Delegates," accessed September 9, 2013]</ref>

'''''Note:''' [[John Cosgrove|Cosgrove]] won a special election to a [[Virginia State Senate]] seat and withdrew from the race for House District 78. His departure triggered a new filing period for candidates and allowed [[Jay Leftwich|Leftwich]] to enter the race.<ref>[http://vapolitics.us/2013/06/race-to-replace-cosgrove-in-the-78th-house-of-delegates-district-takes-shape/ ''Virginia Politics'', "Race to Replace Cosgrove in the 78th House of Delegates District takes shape," June 23, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/Files/BecomingACandidate/2013Nov_WD_HOD78.pdf ''Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Elections'', "November 5, 2013 Election, Candidacy Requirements For House of Delegates 78th District," accessed September 9, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/Files/Cast%20Your%20Ballot/Candidate%20List/Official%20List%20of%2011_5_13%20House%20of%20Delegates%20Candidates%20by%20District.pdf ''Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Elections'', "Official List of Candidates, Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election, Virginia House of Delegates," accessed September 9, 2013]</ref> [[Brent VanNorman]] did not appear on the general election ballot.''

'''''Note:''' [[John Cosgrove|Cosgrove]] won a special election to a [[Virginia State Senate]] seat and withdrew from the race for House District 78. His departure triggered a new filing period for candidates and allowed [[Jay Leftwich|Leftwich]] to enter the race.<ref>[http://vapolitics.us/2013/06/race-to-replace-cosgrove-in-the-78th-house-of-delegates-district-takes-shape/ ''Virginia Politics'', "Race to Replace Cosgrove in the 78th House of Delegates District takes shape," June 23, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/Files/BecomingACandidate/2013Nov_WD_HOD78.pdf ''Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Elections'', "November 5, 2013 Election, Candidacy Requirements For House of Delegates 78th District," accessed September 9, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/Files/Cast%20Your%20Ballot/Candidate%20List/Official%20List%20of%2011_5_13%20House%20of%20Delegates%20Candidates%20by%20District.pdf ''Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Elections'', "Official List of Candidates, Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election, Virginia House of Delegates," accessed September 9, 2013]</ref> [[Brent VanNorman]] did not appear on the general election ballot.''

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{bluedot}} [[Johnny Joannou]] {{won}}

+

:{{bluedot}} [[Johnny Joannou]] 11,445 {{won}}

===District 80===

===District 80===

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{bluedot}} [[Matthew James]] {{won}}

+

:{{bluedot}} [[Matthew James]] 17,293 {{won}}

===District 81===

===District 81===

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{reddot}} [[Barry Knight]] {{won}}

+

:{{reddot}} [[Barry Knight]] 14,064 {{won}}

===District 82===

===District 82===

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{bluedot}} [[Bill Fleming]]

+

:{{bluedot}} [[Bill Fleming]] 9,372

−

:{{reddot}} [[Bill R. DeSteph, Jr]] {{won}}

+

:{{reddot}} [[Bill R. DeSteph, Jr]] 13,995 {{won}}

===District 83===

===District 83===

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{reddot}} [[Christopher Stolle]] {{won}}

+

:{{reddot}} [[Christopher Stolle]] 15,426 {{won}}

===District 84===

===District 84===

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{bluedot}} [[Brent McKenzie]]

+

:{{bluedot}} [[Brent McKenzie]] 7,476

−

:{{reddot}} [[Glenn Davis]] {{won}}

+

:{{reddot}} [[Glenn Davis]] 10,101 {{won}}

===District 85===

===District 85===

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:{{reddot}} <u>'''June 11 GOP primary:'''</u>

:{{reddot}} <u>'''June 11 GOP primary:'''</u>

−

:*[[Gary C. Byler]]

+

:*[[Gary C. Byler]]: 1,024

−

:*[[Scott W. Taylor]] {{approved}}

+

:*[[Scott W. Taylor]]: 1,340 {{approved}}

−

:*[[T. Jeremy Waters]]

+

:*[[T. Jeremy Waters]]: 541

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{bluedot}} [[Bill Dale]]

+

:{{bluedot}} [[Bill Dale]] 8,528

−

:{{reddot}} [[Scott W. Taylor]] {{won}}

+

:{{reddot}} [[Scott W. Taylor]] 11,041 {{won}}

===District 86===

===District 86===

:{{bluedot}} <u>'''June 11 Democratic primary:'''</u>

:{{bluedot}} <u>'''June 11 Democratic primary:'''</u>

−

:*[[Jennifer B. Boysko]] {{approved}}

+

:*[[Jennifer B. Boysko]]: 1,226 {{approved}}

−

:*[[Herbert C. Kemp]]

+

:*[[Herbert C. Kemp]]: 360

:{{reddot}} <u>'''June 11 GOP primary:'''</u>

:{{reddot}} <u>'''June 11 GOP primary:'''</u>

Line 1,180:

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{bluedot}} [[Jennifer B. Boysko]]

+

:{{bluedot}} [[Jennifer B. Boysko]] 10,335

−

:{{reddot}} [[Tom Rust]]

+

:{{reddot}} [[Tom Rust]] 10,389 {{won}}

===District 87===

===District 87===

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{bluedot}} [[John Bell (Virginia)|John Bell]]

+

:{{bluedot}} [[John Bell (Virginia)|John Bell]] 10,087

−

:{{reddot}} [[David Ramadan]]

+

:{{reddot}} [[David Ramadan]] 10,274 {{won}}

===District 88===

===District 88===

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<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

<u>'''''November 5 General election candidates:'''''</u>

−

:{{bluedot}} [[Kathleen O'Halloran]]

+

:{{bluedot}} [[Kathleen O'Halloran]] 8,340

−

:{{reddot}} [[Mark Cole]] {{won}}

+

:{{reddot}} [[Mark Cole]] 13,322 {{won}}

===District 89===

===District 89===

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:{{Greydot}} <u>'''Independent candidates:</u>

:{{Greydot}} <u>'''Independent candidates:</u>

:* [[Kimberly Adams]] {{approved}}

:* [[Kimberly Adams]] {{approved}}

−

'''''Note:''' Adams does not appear on the official list of general election candidates.

The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 28, 2013. Independent candidates wishing to run in the general election were required to submit their nomination petitions by June 11, 2013.[1]

Nomination petitions must contain the signatures of at least 125 qualified voters in the legislative district. Major party candidates are required to submit a primary filing fee equal to 2% of the annual salary for the office sought in effect in the year in which the candidate files. In 2013, the primary filing fee was $352.80.[1]

Republicans expanded their majority in the State House while Democrats managed to pick up one additional seat. Two seats were vacant and retiring incumbent Lacey Putney, an independent, allowed for both parties to make gains in the chamber. Putney was the longest-serving state legislator in the country, serving since 1962. A total of four seats flipped partisan control in 2013. Those districts were:

District 4: Democratic incumbent Joe Johnson did not seek re-election in 2013. Democrats conceded the district without presenting a Democratic candidate. The district went to the unchallenged Republican candidate A. Benton Chafin.

Campaign contributions

This chart shows how many candidates ran for state house in Virginia in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state house races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[2]

Total contributions, Virginia House of Delegates

Year

Number of candidates

Total contributions

2011

153

$25,013,110

2009

204

$35,947,346

2007

156

$32,931,206

2005

187

$25,340,303

2003

158

$13,103,722

2001

182

$13,681,547

1999

173

$12,195,201

During the 2011 election, the total contributions to the 153 house candidates was $25,013,110. The top 10 contributors were:[2]

Impact of Redistricting

In the General Assembly, new State Senate and State House districts were dramatically redrawn in Northern Virginia. Although the number of state senate districts remained at 40, large population growth in the Northeastern counties meant that the state needed to add several new house districts. It had not been determined where the new districts would be added, but this affected how the other Senate and House districts would be drawn.[5] When the new lines were drawn, the ideal size for a Senate district was 200,000 while House districts were 88,900.[6]

On April 29, 2011, Governor of VirginiaBob McDonnell (R) signed a revised legislative redistricting plan.[7] Following the Governor's initial veto, the House quickly passed a revised version of their chamber's maps, reuniting a handful of divided precincts.[8] In the State Senate, Democrats initially expressed strong opposition to changes, defending the fairness of the plan.[9] However, Democrats and Republicans ultimately reached a compromise and passed a modified plan 32-5. While several modifications to plans were made, it appeared that the key compromise centered on Virginia Beach. The original plan had consolidated two Republican seats in the region into one district. The new plan preserved two distinct districts.[10]

Governor McDonnell responded favorably to the revised plans. In a statement released prior to his signature, McDonnell stated that the plan "retains more geographic and municipal boundaries, contains districts that are somewhat more compact, and passed the Senate on a strong bipartisan vote." McDonnell also said that the plan is a "great improvement" over the previous draft.[11] The plan moved to the Department of Justice for approval under the Voting Rights Act.

Polling and analysis

According to a September 2013 poll of Virginia voters, 47 percent approved of the job the General Assembly was doing, while 32 percent disapproved. About 80 percent of those polled favored term limits for the General Assembly.[12]

A July 2013 poll of the state's voters suggested that Democratic state legislative candidates lead in the "generic ballot" by 46 percent to 42 percent, and a January 2013 poll by the same firm yielded similar results.[13][14] However, political analyst Geoffrey Skelley of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics wrote in August 2013 that Republicans were "certain to retain control of Virginia House of Delegates."[15]

Skelley also noted that state Democrats have effectively yielded a seat to the Republican caucus already, as District 4 Delegate Joe Johnson (D) is retiring from a district that has trended very Republican since he first took office in 1990, and only A. Benton Chafin (R) is running to replace him. This projected defeat for Democrats suggests that they would need to have a net gain of 20 seats to take over the chamber, and Skelley says that they may win five or six seats from Republicans.[15]

Skelley suggested that the level of success Democratic candidates for the House of Delegates have depends substantially on the electoral performance of Democraticgubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. A close gubernatorial race, according to Skelley, will likely keep the number of seats that switch control between parties relatively small.[15]

Most competitive races

Skelley identified three races that he considered the most competitive in the state.[15]

Primary challenges

Retiring incumbents

Nine incumbent representatives did not run for re-election, while 91 (91%) ran for re-election. Of the nine incumbents who did not run for re-election, two were Democrats, six were Republicans and one was an independent.